Jose Enrique opens up about rare brain tumor which almost blinded him
Football
By
Mirror
| Jun 23, 2018
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has opened up on his secret cancer battle which almost left him blind.
The 32-year-old learned that he had a rare brain tumour just a month ago after suffering from headaches and migraines during a trip to England.
Enrique underwent emergency nine-hour surgery on the tumour, which was located behind his eye. He is now in recovery but is forced to wear a patch.
"All this makes you value life more. Footballers live in a bubble. It's an unreal life, you lose yourself and you think you're invincible," he said.
Enrique took to social media to reveal the shock news as he uploaded a picture alongside his partner Amy-Jaine in his hospital bed.
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"Sorry I haven't been around much, it has been the toughest few weeks of my life," he said to his followers.
"Within the space of one month I have found out the news that I have a rare brain tumor and had surgery to have it removed.
"I am now in recovery and so thankful. Life is too precious."
Jose Enrique career
- 2004-05 - Levante B
- 2005-06 - Valencia
- 2005-06 - Celta Vigo (loan)
- 2006-07 - Villarreal
- 2007-11 - Newcastle
- 2011-16 - Liverpool
- 2016-17 - Real Zaragoza
Enrique, who also played for Newcastle in the Premier League, spent five years with Liverpool.
He ended his career back in Spain with Zaragoza before working with his brother's scouting agency.
It was during a routine trip to England that he began to notice the severe headaches before being rushed to St George's Hospital in London.
"We were meeting with Chris Hughton, coach of Brighton, who I had during my time at Newcastle. That night, I began to notice the pain. I arrived at the hotel and thought they were migraines," he told MARCA.
"During the night I had a brutal headache. The next morning, my vision was blurry. I had my eyes open and I saw double. I had to go to the emergency room and after nine hours there I had a CT scan with neurologists and the test indicated that a vein in my head had collapsed.
"It is a tumour located in a complicated area of ??the head. It is very rare, it was located behind the eye that is why I now wear a patch."
Enrique returned to Spain for further surgery but was told he could be blinded by the rare condition - with even doctors surprised by his recovery. He will begin radiotherapy next month.
"They were the worst days of my life I stayed in bed for five days without moving," he added.
Enrique has received messages of support from a host of former teammates, including Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho.
His partner Amy Jaine posted on Instagram: "Jose has always been a person who eats amazingly healthy, never drank alcohol or smoked in his life and had a career as a professional footballer.
"It puts everything into perspective in life and just shows that anything can happen to anyone at any time. So hold your loved ones close, cuddle them when you can, tell them how much you love them and appreciate all the goodness that you have around you. Life is too precious."
Liverpool also issued a statement in support of their former player, posting: "The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Jose Enrique after the player revealed he has undergone surgery on a brain tumour.
"The former Reds defender made the announcement via his personal social media accounts on Saturday morning, confirming he had undergone a procedure to have a tumour removed.
"Enrique added that he is now in recovery following the operation.
"Everyone at Liverpool FC wishes him a full and speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back at Anfield again soon.
"You’ll Never Walk Alone, Jose."
Liverpool fans were among those to pass on their well wishes to the former left-back.